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Travel Fearless: What You Should Know Before You Travel Internationally

By May 18, 2015August 24th, 2021Health Insurance
USA Passport on World Map with Copy Space

If you’re lucky enough to be traveling overseas anytime soon, take some steps now, before you leave, to help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Start Off on the Right Foot

See your doctor to discuss any vaccines, medicines, or precautions you should take before your leave. If possible, schedule your visit 4 – 6 weeks before you travel, so that any vaccines you received have time to take effect and there’s enough time to get a second dose, if necessary. Remember to check with your health plan to find out which vaccinations and services are covered.

The GeoBlue Travel Medicine and International Health Insurance website, as well as local travel clinics, are great resources for information about possible risks and preventing health problems associated with your destination.

Pack Smart

What you take on vacation will vary widely by destination, length, and season, but there are a few useful things to have with you no matter where you go. Check out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pack Smart list of suggested items.

If you’ll be taking prescription medication with you, also check out the Transportation Security Administration website for updates on permitted and prohibited items that you are allowed to carry on a plane.

Leave Your Worries Behind

Travel insurance is one of those things — like the extra coverage on a rental car — that many of us waffle over. But when talking about international travel, the answer is a definite yes.

Whether it’s a one-time trip, a semester abroad, or a long-term commitment, GeoBlue health plans provide medical coverage when you travel outside of the U.S., including:

  • Emergency medical evacuation — coverage for unexpected emergency situations.
  • Comprehensive coverage — hospitalization, doctor visits, and prescriptions.
  • Cashless, paperless service — direct billing for both inpatient and outpatient care.
  • A profiled, elite network — best-in-class English-speaking doctors in over 180 countries.
  • 24/7 concierge support — VIP assistance scheduling appointments and managing medical care.
  • Online tools — accessible through the GeoBlue App.

GeoBlue health plans are offered in cooperation with many Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® companies, including Independence Blue Cross. And you don’t have to be currently enrolled in an Independence Blue Cross medical plan to purchase a GeoBlue plan.

Sources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Traveler’s Health website
Transportation Security Administration website

GeoBlue is a trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

 

Ginny Palmieri

Ginny Palmieri is vice president of Specialty Services for Independence Blue Cross (Independence). She is responsible for all facets of Specialty Services, including the launch and delivery of specialty services and the distribution of Independence’s suite of specialty products to the market. Products include dental, vision, prescription, voluntary insurance (accident, critical illness, cancer, life), stop loss, COBRA, employee assistance programs, and travel insurance. Ginny has over 25 years of diverse experience in strategy, marketing, human resources, operations, and communications management, with a strong record of accomplishment in developing teams that consistently meet and exceed corporate goals. Prior to her current role, she served as vice president of human resources at Independence, and she held senior positions at other leading health care and financial services companies including Commerce Bancorp, Bank of America/FleetBoston Financial, Founders Health Care (Allegheny Healthcare System), Carson Valley School, and the American Red Cross .